OGDEN -- Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, when many Utahns participate in all sorts of recreational activities, but most will be unprepared for a typical medical emergency.
While 40 percent of Americans plan to hike or camp this summer and 75 percent plan to swim, nearly 90 percent want to be prepared for a summertime emergency but have no idea where to start, shows an American Red Cross survey.
"It is recommended that one person in the family is trained in CPR," said Susan Thomas, Red Cross Utah Region communications director.
"Emergencies happen. You can call for help, but it takes awhile for help to arrive. We want people to be able to take care of a family member, friends or neighbors. It saves lives."
The Red Cross has traditionally held CPR, first aid and water safety classes, but this year it has added a new course -- Wilderness and Remote First Aid -- to teach people how to respond to emergencies when help is delayed.
Sixty-eight percent of Americans surveyed told the Red Cross they have been involved in some kind of summer emergency, such as heat stroke, broken bones and insect bites.
One in four people surveyed said they have been in a situation where someone needed CPR.
The U.S. Forest Service advises Utahns to use caution around rivers and streams right now and watch for campsites that are closed.
"The streams and rivers are running fairly fast, and they are really cold," said Kathy Jo Pollock, Forest Service spokeswoman.
"(People) really need to be careful and keep kids and pets away from fast-moving water."
A child drowned in the Weber River near Ogden last spring when she fell in and went unnoticed for several minutes. CPR efforts could not revive the child.
Pollock said people also need to be aware of the weather forecast if they have outdoor plans.
"They need to be prepared for a change in weather," she said. "They need to make sure they have rain gear and be careful when driving on wet roads."
The Forest Service asks people to call their local Ranger District office to check on conditions before heading out.
The Utah Safety Council also advises those who plan summer road trips to take precautions before traveling. They advise regular vehicle tuneups, oil changes, battery checks and tire rotations to prevent breakdowns.
They also advise drivers to avoid fatigue by taking frequent breaks, minimize distractions and avoid using a cell phone, obey posted speeds, and don't drink alcohol and drive.
The American Automobile Club issued its plea for people to drive slowly and carefully, and always wear seat belts.
Deanna Wolfe, trauma coordinator for Ogden Regional Medical Center, said the emergency room is seeing more children with burns on their hands from backyard fire pits, barbecue grills and hot car parts.
She also warned that pets like the grease drip tray on grills and can get burned by licking it or touching other parts that are hot.
The Utah Division of Consumer Protection issued a Memorial Day warning to people who may be asked to donate for veterans organizations over or around the holiday.
The agency has added a new site to its Internet web page at www.consumerprotection.utah.gov to help people tell which veterans groups soliciting funds are scams and which are legitimate.
Standard-Examiner reporter Charles Trentelman contributed to this article.
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